WFCA 1st team all-state linebacker, James Gates, commits to North Dakota State

Menomonie High School's all-time sack leader and two-time WFCA first team all-state outside linebacker James Gates has given a verbal commitment to attend North Dakota State University on a full scholarship. After receiving multiple scholarship offers from other schools, and a preferred walk-on invitation by the Wisconsin Badgers, Gates decided on the two-time division one FCS defending national champions.

Gates who broke his ankle at the end of the Mustangs season last fall and was unable to play in the playoffs says he's excited about the opportunity to play at the division one level. Gates recorded thirty sacks and scored three defensive touchdowns in his two year career blitzing off the edge as an outside linebacker and was an outstanding pass-catching tight end. James says that he admires the way Packers linebacker Clay Matthews plays and believes his style is similar.

"It's just that relentless, coming off the edge, hitting the first you see, reading and having to react so fast out there. Yet it's a position for me, more for my quickness, not really my size which is nice because when you get into the D1 level, they get a lot bigger and faster, says Gates. "That was a big part of my decision-making, is going to place where I can I win and get some attention. You know my last year here, not being able to play in the playoffs, go for that state championship, now I can go for a national championship so it's a whole other step so it's what I'll be striving to do the rest of my life."

The comment sections of our web set are designed for thoughtful, intelligent conversation and debate. We want to hear from the viewers but we are not obligated to post comments we feel inappropriate or violate our guidelines. Here are some of the criteria you should follow when posting comments:

Comments cannot be profane or vulgar. Children and families visit this site. We will delete comments that use profanity or cross the lines of good taste.

We will delete all comments using hate speech. Slurs, stereotypes and violent talk aren’t welcome on our web site.

Comments should not attack other readers personally.

We will delete comments we deem offensive, in bad taste, or out of bounds. We are not obligated to post comments that are rude or insensitive.

We do not edit user-submitted comments.

As a host WEAU 13 News welcomes a wide spectrum of opinions. However, we have a responsibility to all our readers to try to keep our comment section fair and decent. For that reason WEAU 13 News reserves the right to not post or to remove any comment.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.